What to Expect from a Full-Body Orgasm, Solo or Partnered

Sing along: Heaaaad, shoulders, vulva/peen and toes.

Picture this — beyond being an adult spin on a childhood tune — that list could represent (some of) the body parts involved in an orgasm.

Well, with full-body orgasms, it really can.

“Full-body orgasms describe exceptionally powerful climaxes that feel like they’re occurring throughout your entire body,” says certified sex coach Gigi Engle, Womanizer sexpert and author of “All The F*cking Mistakes: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life.”

“Your toes might curl, your abs may clench, your legs could spasm, and even fingers have been reported to go numb,” Engle notes.

Curious? Naturally. Keep reading to learn more.

Is this really a thing?

Oh yes — your butt and the rest of your sizzling self included!

There are essentially two principal ways people report achieving the almost-too-good-to-be-true full-body orgasm:

1. The tantric route, which uses deep breathing, energy directing, and patience.
2. The “layering approach,” where you stack multiple sensations and erogenous areas simultaneously (for example: clit + G-spot + nipples).

So, whether you lean into the more mystical side or prefer pragmatic technique, there’s a path for you.

Is it tied to your anatomy?

Relax — this isn’t only for vulva owners. “Anybody can experience a full-body orgasm, no matter their gender or sexual anatomy,” Engle says. Yay!

For the tantric method, the steps are broadly similar regardless of body parts.

With the layering method, the particular erogenous areas you combine will differ depending on your anatomy.

Does it occur spontaneously or is it deliberate?

Both scenarios are possible.

“Sometimes a full-body orgasm is a delightful surprise that happens while trying a new position, toy, or technique,” says Searah Deysach, veteran sex educator and founder of Early to Bed, a pleasure product brand in Chicago.

Ever used a rabbit vibrator while your partner played with your chest? Or worn a prostate toy while receiving oral? If the climax felt more, well, orgasmic than usual, it may qualify as a full-body orgasm.

That said, “some people actively pursue full-body orgasms and train themselves to reach them,” Deysach adds.

Where should you begin?

Alright, so you’re part of the group intentionally chasing a full-body experience. Regardless of method, these suggestions can help.

Make time

A full-body orgasm probably isn’t going to happen in a 10-minute quickie.

“Carve out real time to explore,” recommends Caitlin V, MPH, clinical sexologist for Royal. We’re talking an entire Sunday afternoon, people!

Let go

Putting pressure on yourself to achieve a full-body O is counterproductive.

Remember: the goal of experimenting with full-body orgasms isn’t strictly to attain one, but to:

• learn more about your body
• broaden your sense of pleasure

Use breathwork

“Breath can generate so much remarkable pleasure, it would surprise you,” says Barbara Carrellas, ACS, AASECT, tantra specialist and author of “Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex for the Twenty-First Century.”

“With time, breathwork can help you channel erotic energy into your life.”

She suggests trying the “bottom breath.”

To practice it:

1. Sit cross-legged with a straight spine.
2. Place your hands on your belly and relax it so it expands into your palms.
3. Exhale fully.
4. While inhaling through your mouth, gently release your anus as if it’s kissing the floor.
5. Exhale through your mouth while keeping the anus relaxed.
6. Repeat.

Sound odd? Perhaps. “You’ll probably feel relaxed and flushed all over,” Carrellas says.

Another method Caitlin V recommends that’s effective (and doesn’t involve your anus) is circular breathing.

To try circular breathing:

1. Keep lips slightly parted and jaw relaxed; breathe in through your mouth.
2. Let the back of your throat soften, then let air flow out between your lips.
3. Repeat while imagining the air tracing a circular path.

If you’re taking a tantric route, Carrellas advises staying with this breath-focused practice and continuing to feel the airflow.

Meanwhile:

1. Move your hips freely.
2. Make any sounds that arise naturally.
3. Bring attention to your perineum (between genitals and butt).
4. Coordinate pelvic-floor contractions with your breath.
5. Persist.

Carrellas says you’ll likely notice a tingling, expanding sensation spreading through your body. Orgasm? Maybe. Blissgasm? Quite possibly.

Try massage

If you’re with a partner, have them massage you with fragrant essential oils.

Solo? Explore self-massage with a favorite lotion.

Areas to focus on:

• trapezius and shoulders
• lower back
• calves
• soles of the feet
• forearms

Build the mood

You’ve probably started feeling arousal build. Heighten it with:

• porn
• audio erotica
• reading erotic passages aloud
• fantasy
• dirty talk

“The hornier you are, the better,” Engle says. Instruction from a sex educator — take notes!

Find your vocal comfort zone

There’s no single sound tied to full-body orgasms, but making guttural noises like “oh” and “ah” can help, Deysach says.

“Don’t obsess over what you sound like,” she adds. “Just make whatever noises feel right.”

Get hands-on

“Work from the outside in,” Engle advises. Spend time on:

• inner thighs
• lower abdomen
• pubic mound
• labia
• perineum
• balls
• chest tissue
• nipples
• fleshy part of your butt

After some time, Engle suggests targeting the urethral sponge (often called the G-spot) or the prostate (P-spot).

Both areas are anecdotally linked to orgasms that feel more whole-body.

Mix sensations

“Full-body orgasms are likelier when you combine multiple kinds of stimulation,” Engle says. Think G-spot + clitoris + anus, or penis + anus + nipples.

“The more nerve endings you enlist, the stronger the climax can be,” she explains.

Build, then back off

Also called edging: take yourself to the verge of orgasm and then lower intensity, repeatedly.

Caitlin V says this practice can amplify the eventual orgasm, increasing the chance it feels full-bodied.

Do certain positions help more?

“It’s less about a single perfect position and more about switching between positions and sensations,” Caitlin V says. Variety, anticipation, and time are key.

Still, G-spot and P-spot stimulation are believed to raise the odds of a full-body orgasm.

If you have a G-spot, try:

• elevated missionary (pillow under the hips)
• riding on top
• doggy style

Those positions let you adjust angle to target the G-spot.

If you have a prostate, explore:

• anal fingering (or anal fisting if you’re experienced)
• anal doggy
• elevated anal missionary

These positions work for solo play too — just substitute fingers or toys for a partner’s penetration.

What about sex toys?

Honestly, any toy marketed for the “G-spot” or “prostate” is worth trying. Examples available online include:

• Dame Arc G-spot vibrator
• Le Wand Bow G-spot & P-spot wand
• We-Vibe Vector prostate massager
• Lelo Hugo vibrating prostate massager

Engle also notes that oral-simulation toys like the We-Vibe Melt and Womanizer Starlet 2.0 can be effective.

“They often don’t directly touch the clitoris, which can help build tension in the abdomen and muscles to be released during orgasm,” Engle explains.

Even better: combine toys. “Try nipple clamps plus a butt plug while using a vibrator,” suggests Caitlin V. “Or use a prostate massager while using a penis stroker.”

For more reading on pleasurable birth experiences and sensation-focused practices, you might also find orgasmic birth relevant.

Giving a partner a full-body orgasm — anything different?

First, check your intentions.

Why do you want to explore full-body orgasms with your partner? If it’s to feel like an ~all-powerful lover~, reconsider.

“Ego is never a great reason to try something sexually,” Engle says. Ensure you’re pursuing this because both of you genuinely want to explore it together.

Also remember: “You can’t truly make someone orgasm — you can support them toward it,” Deysach says.

“Let their verbal and nonverbal signals lead,” she adds. If they say “Right there!” stay there. If they say “That! That!” do that.

When edging, make sure you and your partner can communicate when they’re nearing climax so you know when to ease off, Caitlin V advises.

Because many people involuntarily hold their breath and block orgasm, Deysach suggests encouraging your partner to breathe — or better yet, breathe together in sync.

What if nothing happens?

That’s perfectly fine, says Caitlin V: “Now you have more information about what does and doesn’t bring you pleasure!”

Use that insight to guide future explorations and increase pleasure over time.

The bottom line

Full-body orgasms can indeed feel full-bodied — but that doesn’t automatically make them more pleasurable, profound, intimate, or meaningful than other types of orgasms.

If you want to explore them: breathe, take your time, communicate, and combine sensations.

If it’s not your thing, that’s fine too — pursue pleasure in whatever (legal, consensual, risk-aware) ways satisfy you.